Governor signs bill banning texting while driving

May 30, 2013

MIAMI - Governor Rick Scott signed SB 52 last week at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School banning the use of wireless communications devices while driving.

"As a father and a grandfather, texting while driving is something that concerns me when my loved ones are on the road," Scott said. "The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are known as the deadliest days on the road for teenagers. We must do everything we can at the state level to keep our teenagers and everyone on our roads safe. I cannot think of a better time to officially sign this bill into law."

The bill signed on May 28 prohibits a person from manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols or other characters into a wireless communications device. This includes text messaging, emailing and instant messaging through smart phones.

Scott was by joined representatives from AT&T, Verizon Communications, The Florida Department of Transportation, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and Miami Children's Hospital, along with students and teachers from Alonzo Mourning Senior High School who signed their names to pledge to not text while driving.

"I am thrilled that Governor Scott has supported the legislature and signed this bill," Senator Nancy Detert said. "Texting while driving is an issue we see on our roads every day, and the distractions it causes has negatively affected too many Floridians. Thanks to the support of the Governor and the Legislature, this new law can now lead the way to making our roads safer for Florida drivers and will help teens to form safe driving habits."

"We applaud Governor Rick Scott for signing this important legislation," said Marshall Criser, AT&T Florida state president. "Through the commitment of Sen. Nancy Detert and Representative Doug Holder, as well as the Governor and the Legislative leadership, Florida has reinforced the message that texting while driving is a deadly habit. It's a simple message. No text is worth dying for, It Can Wait."

"Nothing is so important that it is worth risking your life by sending a text message while behind the wheel of a vehicle," said Julie Jones, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles executive director. This legislation will help send the message to all drivers that they need to keep their eyes on the road, not on their cell phone."